December 1998 Issue

From every direction the season of Advent claims our loyalty and our attention. I know a church that for years celebrated and decorated the sanctuary with a huge Advent wreath of fresh greens suspended above the chancel from the ceiling. The pastor, intent on not rushing this season of waiting in hope, would allow no other Christmas decorations or the singing of Christmas carols until Christmas Eve. The Advent wreath, lit ceremoniously by specially chosen youth dressed in cassocks and surplices, became the church's sacred cow. When the worship committee tired of finding people to build and refresh this huge green wreath, and replaced it with a more traditional, smaller wreath which families could light and participate in the proclamation of the coming of the Christ Child, the congregation broke into an idolatrous uproar.

Every preacher knows the competing claims to the message of the Advent of Christ's coming—the sentimental retreat into the past, the incredible commercialization, the shying away from the news of a Second Coming, the burden of family traditions and church traditions, the requisite annual charity giving. To focus the congregation's minds and hearts on the good news of the Coming of Christ in a meaningful, grace-filled way is the preacher's Advent challenge.

Romans 15:4-13 offers to focus our church community life during this Advent season in two ways. First, this Romans text about the meaning of Christian unity is addressed to a particular body of believers providing fertile ground for a sermon on Christian community. Second, just as the scripture lesson begins and ends with hope, a sermon highlighting Advent's central theme of hope and promise becomes apparent in the text.

The Advent Message for Christian Community

"To live together in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify God," (vv. 5-6) is the essence of Christian community. While this togetherness certainly has its ethical ramifications, the message of Paul is clear that our unity is in Christ Jesus, and not won by our own piety and good will. Christian community is a gift of the Spirit, and not the result of believers coming together on their own accord. To celebrate the coming of the Christ child is to welcome the presence of God in our lives here and now, who draws us together for the worship and work of the church.

The cynic in us may snarl a Bah-Humbug at the annual resurfacing of do-gooderism among people at Advent. On many occasion I have answered the phone in December to greet a panicky voice seeking a place to contribute some Christmas charity. Last year the phone call came on Christmas Eve while I was at home having a quick bite to eat before returning to the church for an evening filled with a children's Christmas pageant at 5 o'clock, singing carols in the church's night shelter at 7, and two communion services at 9 and 11.

"I have to find a family to give $100.00 to tonight!" I heard blared through the receiver. Admittedly, my own reaction bothered me that I was irritated that my name had been given to the caller, that I had neither time nor energy to have a theological discussion about stewardship with her, nor the inclination to express my frustration with this unchurched stranger on Christmas Eve for the fear of repeating the familiar phrase of long ago that there is no room in the inn.

Upon reflection of this Christmas Eve disturbance, over the phone as well as within me, in light of this Romans message of Christ welcoming us into a union which glorifies God with one voice, I have heard anew a word about the meaning of community. It is God's gracious Christmas gift to us, not a result of our own giving, or doing, or keeping up with tradition, or endless special worship services, or anything we create. Rather, the scriptures nurture us, and God encourages us, and Christ unites us. "Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God" (v. 7).

The Advent Message of Hope

Hope in this passage begins with scripture and ends with blessing. At its central core is Christ Jesus our Lord. Just as the written word teaches us, serves as a steadfast companion, and encourages us, the promises of scripture are the basis of our hope. Promises of the Old Testament are fulfilled in the New. The assurances of the presence of God in Christ Jesus are our hope for the future. This Romans text gives the preacher the opportunity to explore ways in which we find hope in the Bible during a season of waiting.

Also, the hymnic quality of verses 9-12 and the poetic blessing of verse 13, could move the preacher to explore the ways we hear a word of hope through the rhythms of the Advent season—the treasured cadences of dreary Advent hymns that necessarily precede the angels' alleluias, the church community's regular worship of adoration and praise, the gentle harmonies of inner joy and peace and "abounding" (v. 13) in hope that is indeed the blessing of the season.

Agnes Norfleet
Atlanta, GA